One-revolution latch-operated clutch



Jan. 4, 1949. c. P. LOVE ONE-REVOLUTION LATCH-OPERATED CLUTCH Filed July 14, 1945 Patented Jan. 4, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- ONE-REVOLUTION LATCH-OPERATED CLUTCH (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 O. G. 757) 6 Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a firing mechanism for a gun and more particularly to control means for operating the actuator for the gun firing mechanism.

The invention is particularly adapted to and provides improvements in gun firing mechanisms of the type characterized by the provision of an actuator which is continuously powered and selectively connectible to the firing mechanism to actuate the latter for firing the weapon. One such arrangement of this ty e consists of an actuator comprising a constantly rotating driving part, an intermittently rotatable driven part, a clutch member for connecting the two parts together in driving relation for predetermined cycles of revolution, and means connecting the intermittently rotatable part to the firing mechanism so that the latter is actuated during the intervals or cycles in which the intermittently rotatable part is connected to the driving part.

It is desirable in gun firing systems of the type referred to that the actuator be permitted to operate the firing mechanism only during the desired cycles. It is accordingly desirable that means be provided for disconnecting the driving and driven parts at the end of each cycle. However, in cases where the firing system includes an electrical firing circuit, or other means connected to a source of power, it often happens that the operator fails to break the firing circuit, with the result that the driving and driven parts of the actuator remain connected.

It is accordingly a principal object of the invention to provide control means for a firing system of the type referred to wherein said control means is operable to disconnect, or render inoper'ative, the actuator parts at the end of each cycle of operation. g It is also a principal object of the invention to provide a control means in which cyclic disconnection of the parts occurs automatically even though release operation of the control means is prevented or resisted by the operator or otherwise.

An important object of the invention is to adapt the control means to a firing system including an electrical firing circuit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a control means including primary means to release and engage the clutch member of the actuator and a secondary means adapted to engage 2 the clutch means in the event that the primary means fails to engage the clutch means at the end of the cycle of the latter.

The invention has for another object the pro vision of control means that may be readily adapted to firing actuators of existing types.

And still another object of the invention is to providea control means in the form of a single actuatable member provided with suitable portions adapted to carry out the functions of the above mentioned primary and secondary engaging means. v

A complete understanding of the construction and operation of a preferred embodiment of the invention may be had from the following detailed description and accompanying sheet of of drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through one form of firing actuator showing the relationship between the control means and the actuator parts;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional VieW through the actuator as viewed along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of the actuator; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the construction of the control member.

The actuator chosen for the purposes of illustration comprises a base In having an upstanding vertical wall I I to which is securely attached a source of power such as an electric motor I2. The base In is adapted to be secured in any suitable manner to the supportin structure of the gun in which the actuator and firing mechanism are to be installed.

The base in includes an upstanding bracket 13 in which is carried a suitable antifriction bearing, herein shown as comprising a pair of ball bearings lea spaced apart axially b an apertured" sleeve l3lb that also forms a common inner race for both bearings. This bearing journals a. sleeve M of a constantly rotatin part designated generally by the numeral l5. This part further includes a drum. l6 preferabl formed integrally with the sleeve M. The drum includes an internal ring gear I! meshing with and driven by a pinion is which is in turn driven by the electric motor l2. The sleeve I4 is provided in its interior with suitable antifriction bearings, here in. shown as a pair of roller bearings Ma spaced axially apart b an aperturcd sleeve Mb. The sleeve I4 is also apertured so that lubricant ma circulate freely throughout the bracket or housing I3. The bearings Ma journal therein an intermittently rotatable part in the form of a shaft is formed at its outer end with an eccen tric or crank 20 and at its inner end with a second eccentric or crank 2|. The eccentric 20 at the outer end of the shaft engages a slot 22 extending longitudinally in an actuator arm 23 pivoted at one end to a bracket 24 on the base It] and connected at its other end to an actuating rod 25. As will be hereinafter described, the shaft [9 is rotated in successive cycles and by means of the eccentric 22 the actuator arm is oscillated to effect reciprocation of the actuator rod 25. This rod is connected in any suitable manner to the firing mechanism of the gun. This mechan-v ism may be of any conventional type, although the particular type of actuator illustrated is especially adapted for the actuation of firing mechanism of the continuous-pull self-cocking type.

The eccentric 2| at the inner end of the shaft l9 has securely mounted thereon for rotation therewith a clutch arm 26 extending radially outwardly from the eccentric 2| and having at its outer end a clutch shoe 2'! adapted to engage a clutch track 28 formed on the inner periphery of the drum l6 coaxially spaced from the ring gear l1. Spring means 29 operates between the shoe 21 and the arm 25 to urge the shoe 2'! normally into engagement with the clutch track 23 of the drum 16. Because of the eccentric relation between the eccentric mounting 2| and the shaft l9, and because of the slight frictional. drag of the track 28 on the shoe 21, the normal tendency of the clutch arm 26 is to move in the direction of rotation of the drum l6 so that the shoe 21 engages the clutch track 28, this movement effecting a driving connection between the constantly rotating part l and the intermittently rotatable part or shaft l9.

In the particular arrangement of parts herein illustrated means are provided for normally maintaining the clutch arm 26 in position so that the shoe 21 cannot engage the clutch track 28.

This means comprises a clutch rod or lug 30 preferably formed integrally with and extending outwardly from the clutch arm 26 and having a portion directed radially inwardly toward the eccentric 2 l. The means for controlling the operation of the clutch arm 26 includes means for selectively and automatically engaging and disengaging the clutch lug 38 so that the clutch arm 26 may be selectively released for engagement with the drum l6 and re-engaged for disengagement from the drum [6, thus establishing and interrupting driving connection between the constantly rotating part and the intermittently rotatable part. In the preferred form of the invention the control means takes the form of a solenoid 3| suitably connected to a source of electrical energy. The solenoid may be arranged in the firing circuit in any desirable manner. Likewise the solenoid may be replaced by equivalent operating means that may be either power or manually operable. However the principle of operation involved will be the same in any instance, as will hereinafter appear.

The solenoid includes a plunger 32 of conventional construction arranged to abut a coaxial control member 33 slidably carried by the supporting wall H of the base and extending within the drum H5. The control member is so mounted in the supporting wall H that it may reciprocate but may not rotate or turn on its 4 axis, this result being achieved by a key (not shown). The portion of the control member adjacent the solenoid plunger 32 is provided with a washer 34 secured in place by a nut 35, and a compression spring 36 is compressible between the washer 34 and the supporting wall ll to maintain the control member in an initial retracted position. The portion of the control member 33 within the drum I6 includes, preferably integrally therewith, a control head having a main body portion 31 and a circular shoulder 38 engageable with a boss on the supporting wall I I. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the main body 3'! of the control member 33 is provided with means selectively and alternately engageable with and releasable from the clutch lug or rod 39. The body portion 31 is cut out to form a first passage or groove 39 ext-ending generally transverse to the path of reciprocation of the control member. A second passage or groove 49 is formed in the body portion at a point spaced from the first passage 39 along the path of reciprocation of the control member. The first and second passages are interconnected by a third passage or groove 4| extending generally normal to the first two passages or along the line of reciprocation of the control member. The arrangement of the passages 39, 40 and M is such as to provide a first means in the form of an abutment 42 arranged at one corner of the main body portion and a second means in the form of a second abutment 43 disposed diagonally across from the first abutment. The abutments on the control member are so arranged with respect to the circular path through which the clutch lug moves as to be spaced apart in the direction of rotation of the clutch lug and further spaced apart in a direction normal to the plane of rotation of the clutch lug.

In the particular type of firing arrangement illustrated the electric motor I2 is powered so as to run continuously throughout selected periods during which it is expected that the weapon will be fired. For example, during a prolonged combat period the motor l2 will be continuously running and the drum IE will therefore be constantly rotated. When it is desired to fire the weapon, the firing circuit is closed (or the equivalent system is operated) and the solenoid 3| is energized so that the plunger 32 contacts the control member 33, moving the lattter axially into the drum 16. As best shown in Fig. 1, the normal position of the parts is such that the clutch lug 30 is engaged by the first abutment 42 on the main body 31 of the control member and the clutch arm 26 and shoe 2'! are held against movement into engagement with the con-stantly rotating drum Hi. When the control member is moved inwardly by the solenoid plunger 32, the main body portion 31 or the control member moves toward the clutch lug 30 to align the lug with the first passage 39 of the control member. Thus the clutch arm 26 is released for movement so that the shoe 2! may engage the clutch track 28 in thedrum l6 and the shaft i9 is rotated with the drum. This rotary motion is translated through the eccentric 20 to the actuator arm 23 and thence to the firing mechanism by mean of the actuator rod 25.

It is desirable in the presently illustrated type of actuator that the intermittently rotatable part l'9 be disconnected from the drum l6 after one complete revolution thereof, since movement of the parts through a cycle of one revolution is sufficient to actuate the firing mechanism. It is 5. therefore necessary that means heprovided for disconnecting the. driving relationship between the drum is and shaft. l3 upon completion of the cycle and; it is desirable that this means be automatic in operation. This function is accomplished by means of the control member 33 which is adapted to be interposed in the. path of the clutch lug 30' as the clutch. arm 26 nears the completion of its cycle of one. revolution. In normal circumstances in the use of, the, present invention, the firing circuitwill be broken (or the power from an equivalent source will be dis-connected). and the solenoid plunger 32 will be returned, thus permitting the spring 36 to return the control member 33 to its initial position so that the clutch lug 30, when it reaches the end of its cycle of revolution, will again engage the first abutment 42 on the main body 31 of the control member. Thus the parts'are conditioned for the initiation of a new cycle of revolution, which. occurs when the control member 33. is again moved inwardly so that the clutch mg 30 may pass along the passage or groove 4| and out the passage 39.

However, it often occurs that through some action on the part of the operator of the weapon or through some defect in the firing control system return movement of the control member 33 may be resisted or prevented. Normally such defect or failure in the system would permit the clutch arm 26 to remain in engagement with the drum I ii and the actuator rod would continue unncessarily to reciprocate and actuate the firing mechanism. In the present instance, this diiiiculty is eliminated by means of the control member comprising the body portion 3'! with its interconnected grooves 39, 4!] and 4| and abutments 42 and 43. In the event that the control member 43 is maintained in its release position after it has released the clutch lug 3B, the body portion 31 is still capable of disengaging the clutch arm 26 after completion of one revolution thereof. This result occurs because, as the control member is moved inwardly to release the clutch lug 30 through the passage 39, the abutment 43 on the body portion 3! is simultaneously moved into the path of the clutch lug at a point just prior to completion of the cycle of revolution, whereupon, if the control member remains in this assumed position, the clutch lug 30 engages the abutment 43 and the clutch arm is disengaged from the drum. Then, if the control member is again returned to its initial position, the abutment 43 is moved out of the path of the clutch lug 30. However, this does not free -the clutch lug to permit another revolution of the clutch arm 26, since the clutch lug will now engage the abutment 42. It is therefore necessary that the control member 33 be again moved to release position so that the lug 30 will be freed from the abutment 42. By means of the aforesaid arrangement it is necessary that the control member be actuated separately for each firing cycle; likewise continuous or uninterrupted actuation of the firing mechanism is precluded.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the control means is simple and eificient in construction and operation and is admirably suited for the accomplishment of the objects set forth above. It will be understood of course that the preferred embodiment of the invention may be subject to many modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an actuator for-a gun firing mechanism. a driving drum, a driven shaft, base means journaling said drum and shaft for: rotation about a common axis, a bearing on, said shaft eccentric of said axis, a clutch unit journaled on said bearing and having-.a part engageable with the innor periphery of. said drum, a projection on said unit offset therefrom parallel with saidaxis, a control element slidable on said base means paralleliwith said' axis, said element having first and second: lugs spaced. parallel with. said axis and also spaced circumferentially of the path, of said projection to permit-said projection to pass therebetween, power means operable to move; said element between first and second positions wherein said lugs. lie in the path of said projection respectively, said lugs overlapping in said axial direction; and actuator means connected for operation by and in response to rotation of said shaft.

2-111 an actuator for a gun firing mechanism, a. drum having an internal track concentric about an axis, means mounting said drum for rotation about said axis, a shaft journaled for rotation on said axis and having one end extending into said drum, an eccentric on said one end of said shaft, an arm journaled on said eccentric, a shoe on said arm adapted to engage said track, a lug on said arm, a control member slidable in a direction substantially parallel with said axis, from a first to a second position, said member when in first position being adapted to engage said lug to prevent rotation of said arm and shaft and when in said second position releasing said lug, means for so sliding said member, power means connected to rotate said drum, and actuator means connected with said shaft for actuation on rotation thereof.

3. An actuator for a gun firing mechanism comprising a base, a drum journaled on said base for rotation about an axis and having an internal track concentric of said axis, a shaft journaled on said base on said axis, said shaft having an eccentric on one end, an arm journaled upon said eccentric, a shoe pivoted upon said arm and adapted to engage said track, means urging said shoe into engagement with said track, a lug on said arm adjacent said shoe, a control member translatable on said base into and out of the path of rotation of said lug, a motor carried by said base and connected to continuously rotate said drum, actuator means connected for operation by and upon rotation of said shaft, and manually controlled power means operable to translate said member.

4. An actuator for a gun firing mechanism comprising a base adapted to be secured to a gun, a drum journaled upon said base for rotation about an axis, there being a track on said drum internally thereof and concentric of said axis, a shaft journaled on said base on said axis and having an eccentric within said drum, a clutch arm journaled on said eccentric, mean-s on the end of said arm adapted to engage and disengage said track, a first lug on said arm extending there from adjacent said track parallel to said axis, a control member slidable on said base parallel with said axis, between first and second positions, said member having second and third lugs each adapted to engage said first lug when said member is in a respective one of said positions, said lugs being spaced circumferentially along the path of said first lug and axially in a direction parallel with said axis, power means connected to continuously rotate said drum, actuator means 7 connected for actuation by and in response :to rotation of said shaft, and manually controlled means for sliding said member between said first and second positions.

5. An actuator as recited in'claim 4, said second and third lugs overlapping in an axial direction whereby to prevent passage of said first lug therebetween.

6. In an actuator for a gun firing mechanism, a base adapted to be secured to a gun, a drum rotatable on said base about an axis and having a sleeve extending from one side wall concentric of saidaxis, a shaft journaled in said sleeve and having an eccentric on one end Within said drum, an internal track on said drum concentric of said axis, a clutch arm .journaled on said eccentric, a shoe movable on said arm, adapted to engage said track, a first lug on said arm projecting therefrom parallel to said axis, a control member translatable on said base parallel to said axis between a first and a second position, said member having thereon second and third lugs, each 20 Number Name Date 1,092,467 Winans c Apr. 7, 1914 8 adapted to lie in the path of and obstruct said first lug fora respective position of said member, said second and third lugs overlapping in a direction parallel to said axis, and alsobein spaced circumferentially of the path of rotation of said first lug, to permit-said first 111% to pass therebetween; power means to rotate said drum, manually operable control means for selectively translating said control member between said first and second positions, and actuator means driven by and in response to rotation of said shaft. 7

CECIL P. LOVE.

' me of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,487,262 Osgood ...B Mar. 18, 1924 

